|
|
Culture Defined
I'm frequently asked, professionally and socially, about our definition of culture: what it is, where it comes from and how culture affects interaction with colleagues. Here is the definition that we find works best: a deep-seated set of values and beliefs shared by a society that define a sense of right and wrong, good and bad, appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
Delving into the meaning of cultural awareness, the "Golden Rule" of "do unto others what you would like to be done unto you" might best be modified to "do unto others as they would like you to do unto them." Of course, this means you need to know a little about their cultural values and preferences. The important thing is to recognize that culture represents intrinsic beliefs and values, which impact behavior. Combined with personal style, being attuned to these factors allows us to be culturally astute and professionally successful in 2010 and beyond.
Mike Schell
|
How has an American company like Google handled Indian policies on free speech in relation to its websites? An article in the Wall Street Journal discusses Orkut, a social networking website, emphasizing the need for foreign organizations to cooperate with Indian authorities in barring web material that could spark violent, public outcries, typical of recent Indian history. Click here to read more...
|
|
|
|
The Economist presents an interesting piece on the globally diverse terminology for mobile phones. As a demonstration of the pervasiveness of culture, even the way we refer to our mobile phones is highly connected to our cultural roots. Read more here...
|
In an interview for Investor's Business Daily, Michael Schell and Charlene Solomon of
RW3
offer tips for companies that are expanding internationally. One tip they offer is to honor local culture when expanding business into new countries, and to take ownership of cultural knowledge to build a global mindset. Read more here...
|
|
|
|
What would happen if the UN moved it's headquarters from New York City to Dubai? A piece on Forbes.com argues for several compelling reasons. Click here to read more.
In a Wall Street Journal Report interview with author Dan Senor on his new book, Start-Up Nation, he attributes much of Israel's innovative tech industry to culture. Click here to watch the interview.
Chinese moviegoers find the movie draws a parallel with an unfortunately common human rights violation in China. Read more...
The cover story of this month's American Executive magazine features
Managing Across Cultures, by RW3 principles Charlene Solomon and Michael Schell
. Read more here.
CultureWizard Digest is published by RW3 Culturewizard. Learn more about us at RW-3.com.
Send the CultureWizard Digest to your friends and colleagues by clicking here.
|
|
|
|
|
Issue #22
January 27, 2010
I. Culture Defined
II.
How Free is Free Speech in India
?
III. Cell or Mobile Phone, Handy or Keitai?
IV. "Taking the Bite Out of Moving Overseas"
Culture Links
Culture Tips
Learn more about the only Southeast Asian country to never have been colonized
Despite its movement towards democracy and a market economy, vestiges of communism still remain in its culture
|
|
